What work should I do?

Question

Currently I am working in an office environment, doing administration. But I have grown to hate my job. I've had a few burnouts and I have discovered that I am not doing something close to my own core values, competences and interests. Tests have shown that I am more artistic, but also that I have a complete lack of ambition. I have a slightly above average IQ (122), but I only ever finished higher secondary school, just because school was boring. I'm 48, Dutch, living in the Netherlands. I like writing, I am good with words in both Dutch and English, I like travelling (never can afford it however), I like photography and I am interested in art, theatre, film and television, science, cars, history and loads of other stuff. 
Another test said that I should be a production designer or art-director in film or television, but I have no education in that field, no experience, no network, nothing. I also can't afford to pick up an education again, to get me nearer to something like that, besides that, I am probably too old to start at the bottom of the ladder in that business.
So what sort of work should I do? What job pays my bills, keeps me happy and is within reach?

Anonymous · Answer

I would suggest to start with a hobby. You are obviously not going to start a new career unless you have substantial savings and a veritable passion for different field. You don't mention that you have a passion.

While it never might amount to a job, you can use your free time to explore things you would like to do through volunteering and maybe taking individual classes. There are probably community theaters where you live and where you can explore whether you indeed have skills needed and you can start making connections.

I doubt that most aptitude tests are all that well, while they probably can give you a general direction I doubt they are good enough to point you reliably to a job you would indeed enjoy. And without experience you are not qualified for changing to a new job.

Nobody can find something for you which you don't find boring. You need to motivated to do it yourself. A good way is by trying things out which you find at least interesting. These days there are plenty of internet resources and community art center or other community and professional organizations that you can try out a lot of different things in evenings and weekends.

If you can financially afford it, you can even take time off to explore. If you can't, then you have to continue working. Maybe just getting a new job can make things less boring.

Success · Answer

Go to the excellence-success site and read some of the articles there and see if some of them inspire you to start a new career.

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What work should I do?

2 Answers